Brown-capped Babbler
Pellorneum fuscocapillus
Small brown babbler, with intense cinnamon underparts and a clear cut blackish brown cap. A terrestrial species occurring on or near the ground in forests, forest edge and nearby scrub and thickets in wooded areas, where typically encountered as pairs. Bold cap and underpart coloration make this distinctive in limited range on Sri Lanka. Repetitive song is a three note whistle “wit-wi-yoo”, ascending at the start and descending at the end. Other more complex warbles are given including an excited series of untidy, downslurred whistles.
Identification
The brown-capped babbler is a smallish to medium-sized babbler, at 16 cm (6.3 in) including its long tail. It is brown above and rich cinnamon below. It has a dark brown crown.<p>Brown-capped babblers have short dark bills. Their food is mainly insects. They can be difficult to observe in the dense vegetation they prefer, but like other babblers, these are noisy birds, and their characteristic calls are often the best indication that these birds are present.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Pellorneum fuscocapillus
- Authority
- (Blyth, 1849)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Pellorneidae
- Genus
- Pellorneum
Range and habitat
The brown-capped babbler is an endemic resident breeding bird in Sri Lanka. Its habitat is forest undergrowth and thick scrub. This species, like most babblers, is not migratory, and has short rounded wings and a weak flight.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Brown-capped babblers are usually believed to occur in pairs. Male birds make a distinctive call ("pretty dear") to attract other birds. Breeding season occurs during the first half of the year, during which time males exhibit territorial behavior. This babbler builds its nest on the ground or in a hole, concealed in dense masses of foliage. The normal clutch is two or three eggs.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Sao Tome Spinetail
Zoonavena thomensis
Small gray swift with a pale gray rump and belly that are marked with black streaks. With a very good view, tiny spines on the tail can be seen. Seen in flight over all habitats on the islands of Sao Tome and Principe. The call is a high-pitched “sip.” Similar in size and shape to Little Swift, but separated by the pale belly and grayish rather than bright white rump. Also similar in size to African Palm Swift, but has a much shorter square tail and a pale belly and rump.
Brown Quail
Synoicus ypsilophorus
Large, heavily marked quail, but from a distance appears fairly plain and brown. Typically found in swampy areas with long grass. Scurries across pathways in small groups, or explodes from cover when almost underfoot. Distinctive 2-note whistle often reveals its presence.
Collared Lark
Amirafra collaris
An elegant lark with rich rusty upperparts and white feather fringes that create a scaly effect. The complete dark band across the chest and the dark streaking on the nape are unique; the white eyebrow and throat create a bold face pattern. Underparts are pale and clean. Resident in dry thorn savanna on red sands. Its long whistle “wheeeeooooo” is sometimes accompanied with a wing-clapping display in which the bird rises 10–15 meters before parachuting back to the ground. Foxy Lark is similar to Collared in shape and coloration but lacks the dark breast and neck markings.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.